Chapter 89: The Inside Story

A few days later, on New Year's Day, the school held a New Year's Eve party.

Cao Sheng had no talent to perform, so he didn't participate in the show, nor did he go to watch—it was better to spend that time writing another chapter or two.

Then…

After New Year's Day, when he sat down in the classroom, he heard several classmates nearby eagerly discussing the New Year's Eve party; drawn in by their enthusiasm, he leaned in to listen for a while.

"Of all the girls at the party, I think Jiang Xiaoshuang is the most beautiful! No matter what you say, I still think she's the prettiest!"

"Me too! I think she's not just beautiful—her eloquence and poise are top-notch!"

"Jiang Xiaoshuang is great! But I prefer Ren Xueyi, who danced solo!"

"Jiang Xiaoshuang's eloquence and poise are unquestionable—I never realized our school had a girl so beautiful and talented. Why didn't I notice her back in freshman year?"

"Ren Xueyi's dance was amazing! She's so cute, yet she can do robot dance—and so well!"

"Are you kidding? Don't you know Jiang Xiaoshuang is the school radio station's announcer? Of course she's eloquent!"

"Jiang Xiaoshuang and Ren Xueyi are great, but we've got no chance with either of them—didn't you notice the tall girl in the final runway walk? Those legs, plus heels—I was about to drool."

"Yes, yes! The girls in the final runway walk were great, especially the one with the long legs—too bad we only know she's from the Tourism class, and don't know her name."

"Hehe, I already found out—want to know?"

"Really? Tell me quick!"

"Yeah, spit it out!"

"Hehe, I'll tell you—but call me 'big brother' twice first!"

"Damn! Big bro! Brother! Just tell me already, you bastard!"

"Haha, hey! Good little brother! Fine, listen up: the girl with the long legs is Tong Xin—Tong as in 'child,' Xin as in 'joy.' She's a freshman in the Tourism class."

…

Cao Sheng, who had been eavesdropping, twitched his eyebrows slightly—he felt the name "Tong Xin" sounded familiar, like he'd heard it somewhere before.

As for Jiang Xiaoshuang and Ren Xueyi, he paid them no mind.

In the original timeline, Jiang Xiaoshuang became an instant campus sensation right after this party, turning into everyone's topic of conversation.

They said her hosting performance was outstanding—beautiful, poised, eloquent—and she won the hearts of many boys.

And Ren Xueyi…

Cao Sheng knew her—during freshman orientation, many alumni had lined up to ask for his autograph, and Ren Xueyi was the only one who extended her white arm toward him, asking him to sign on it.

After that, she even confessed to him.

He was just surprised that Ren Xueyi, with her snow-white skin, big eyes, and princess-like appearance, could do robot dance.

The robot dance didn't suit her demeanor at all.

But from what everyone was saying, she actually danced it quite well.

Where had he heard the name "Tong Xin" before?

Cao Sheng scratched his head, but couldn't recall.

At that moment, his former roommate Wei Dongming walked over with books and other items and sat down beside him; Cao Sheng was surprised, because his relationship with Wei Dongming was distant, with no personal closeness—he'd never before voluntarily sat next to Cao Sheng in class.

So Cao Sheng guessed Wei Dongming had come over for a reason.

Sure enough, after sitting down, Wei Dongming glanced around, saw no one was paying attention, then smiled and said: "Cao Sheng! Are you free tonight? I'll treat you to dinner."

Cao Sheng: "???"

Did the sun rise in the west? This guy actually wants to treat me to dinner alone?

Cao Sheng: "Oh? Just me?"

Wei Dongming nodded. "Yeah, just you. How about it? You won't refuse me, right?"

Cao Sheng sensed something hidden in those words—was Wei Dongming still bitter about the time in the cafeteria when no one accepted his invitation?

"How could I? But may I ask why you're treating me alone tonight? Is it to celebrate you finding a girlfriend?"

Cao Sheng asked in a lowered voice.

Wei Dongming nodded. "Yes! Since Song Chao and the others won't give me face, I'll just treat you alone, Cao Sheng! When your novel got published and you treated everyone, I came. Now that I've found a girlfriend, I feel I should return the favor—won't you give me face?"

Cao Sheng smiled. "You say it like that—I'll come. But wasn't it only some of the roommates who refused you last time? Why just me?"

Wei Dongming's expression darkened. "Just you! Oh, and my girlfriend—tonight I'll introduce you two. She wants to meet you."

"She wants to meet me?"

Cao Sheng was surprised.

Wei Dongming frowned, grunted, then explained: "She knows I used to room with you, and she knows you're Zhongyuan Yidianhui—she's been curious to meet you."

Cao Sheng: "..."

Cao Sheng suddenly suspected that Wei Dongming's invitation tonight was only because his girlfriend wanted to meet him, Cao Sheng.

He even suspected that Wei Dongming's earlier announcement in the cafeteria—that he'd found a girlfriend and would treat the whole dorm—was also because his girlfriend wanted to meet Cao Sheng.

Cao Sheng now understood why Wei Dongming's expression had been so sour.

How could any man feel good about this?

His girlfriend wanted to meet his roommate, so he spent money to treat his roommate to dinner—this roommate who had no personal bond with him, whose relationship with him was lukewarm at best.

Given Wei Dongming's pride, he might already be suffering internal injuries from feeling humiliated and suppressed.

And Cao Sheng himself was the roommate his girlfriend wanted to meet.

Suddenly, Cao Sheng had a thought: Am I the yellow-haired guy?

"Maybe we should just skip it? What would it mean if I went alone to meet your girlfriend? What do you think?"

Cao Sheng declined politely.

He had realized Wei Dongming didn't genuinely want to treat him to dinner.

And he had no interest in meeting Wei Dongming's girlfriend.

But...

Wei Dongming did not give up; he frowned. "Then I'll invite Pang Yunhai and Guan Zhi as well! That should be enough, right?"

Cao Sheng: "???"

Cao Sheng, now speechless, nodded. "Then go tell them first! If they're willing to go, I'll go."

Wei Dongming nodded, stood up, and went to find Pang Yunhai.

Cao Sheng watched his back and shook his head.

He remembered that last time in the cafeteria, when he had embarrassed Wei Dongming by refusing to eat, the only roommates who had spoken up were Song Chao, Xu Fengmao, and Zheng Xiaoqiang.

But Wei Dongming had just mentioned inviting only Pang Yunhai and Guan Zhi, completely omitting the other roommate, Zhai Jun.

If Zhai Jun found out about this, could Wei Dongming still maintain a good relationship with him in the future?

That afternoon after school, Wei Dongming invited Cao Sheng, Pang Yunhai, and Guan Zhi to go together to Huizhou Renjia outside the school.

Along the way, Pang Yunhai, Guan Zhi, and Cao Sheng looked at each other, their expressions all somewhat strange.

When they followed Wei Dongming to the entrance of Huizhou Renjia, his girlfriend was already waiting there. Petite, she wore brand-new blue jeans, a white short down jacket, and a bright red scarf around her neck, with her hair cut in a short bob just reaching her ears.

She looked delicate and cute; upon seeing Cao Sheng, her eyes sparkled, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked eager to spring forward.

It was as if a fan had met their idol.